Mouse Guard: The Siege of Redwall
A/N: Salutations, fellow readers. Sonicfighter here bringing you a new chapter of The siege of Redwall. Before I begin, I have some news I wish to share with all of you, I'll be going to CTC (Central Texas Collage) on the 11th of this month, meaning I won't be making any chapters in a while. I'll be studying to become a Computer Technician. In this chapter, Matthias have a plain to end the siege, while Cluny have a plain of his own when he place his lieutenant, Cheesethief in charge. As always, I don't own Redwall or Mouse Guard. They belong to their rightful owners. I only own my OCs.
Chapter 10: Battle Strategies
Matthias and 4 of the Guards finest meet an owl called Captain Snow to figure out the whereabouts of Asmodeus the Great Adder. He told them that Asmodeus live in an old stone quarry where he live, and where he hid Martin's sword long ago. With this information in paw, Matthias and the Guards need to find the quarry, slay Asmodeus and reclaim the sword for Redwall.
3 days have gone by since Matthias, Richard, Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam talked to Captain Snow to find Asmodeus. They now need to find the quarry on where Asmodeus live to retrieve Martin's old sword.
One night, Matthias, Edward, Constance and Basil are at one of the turrets, looking at Cluny's camp a few feet from Redwall.
"Look at those blighters, camping right under our noses. So close, yet so far, eh what?" Basil said to the others.
"It shows Cluny knows the exact range of our weapons by an inch." Constance said in agreement
"Look at them all running around down there." Matthias said at he watch the rats moving throughout the camp. "You know, come to think of it, Cluny is the real enemy. The rest would be helpless without him."
"I agree, Matthias." Edward said to the novice as he too watch the camp.
"If only our weapons have a little more range." Basil said to himself.
"Well, Remy's crossbow have more range with a bow and arrow." Edward pointed out to the hare.
Just then, the two mice and the hare hear hammering as they look to see Constance hammering a tip of what look like a big arrow.
"I'll need a Yew sapping from the abbey orchard." Constance said to Matthias as she examine the tip.
"What in the name of the seasons are you doing?" Basil said in shock. What is Constance planning on doing?
"Matthias is right. We need to rid the Abbey of Cluny the Scourge, forever." Constance said to Basil as she raise the arrow.
"But, we need Martin's sword in order to get rid of Cluny." Edward said to Constance.
"I know, but this way is faster." Constance said to Edward.
Edward sight and said to himself, "If Mortimer knows about this, we'll never hear the end of it."
However, what Constance, Basil, Matthias and Edward didn't know is Killconey heard the whole thing as he hid under the turret with a partly dislodged block of stone.
Killconey laugh to himself, knowing that Cluny would love to hear this information as he sneak back to camp.
At the camp, in Cluny's tent, the rat is tossing and turning in his sleep as his nightmares grew more and more worse. In his dream, Cluny is chased by a hooded figure, who is Martin the Warrior. Scared, he climbed to a stone tower. He look down as see rats what were killed in battle or by his paws, including victims from his previous raids growling at him, wanting revenge. As Cluny struggle, Cheesethief sneak into his tent with a dagger in his paw. Cheesethief have made a deal with the other rats that once he'll get rid of Cluny, he'll be in charge and he'll give everyone to eat properly.
Before the rat can stick the blade into his chest, Cluny woke up screaming as Cheesethief hide the dagger.
Painting, Cluny look at Cheesethief and growled.
"Get away from me you scum!" Cluny said to Cheesethief as he knock him to the floor.
"Away!"
Cheesethief scurry out of Cuny's tent as the one-eyed rat continue,
"You and all the ghostly warriors that called me! Away or I'll gut you!"
Cluny went back to bed as Cheesethief said to Redclaw and a rat sitting by a fire.
"He's cracking up."
"You couldn't kill him, eh?" Redclaw said as he pour himself some soap, seeing that he didn't kill Cluny.
"Yeah, just another lyin' coward." A rat said to Cheesethief.
Insulted, the grab the rat by the collar and whispered,
"Shut up. I'll do it."
Cheesethief let go of the rat as he feel to the ground.
Redclaw eat the soap, but spit it out on how disgusting it is.
"I promise ya, we'll eat properly." Cheesethief said to the two rats. "By this time tomorrow, I will be you're new leader, and where will be fresh cheese for all."
What Cheesethief didn't know is Killconey heard every word he said as he enters the camp. He decide to what til morning to tell Cluny the news.
Back in Redwall, Matthias and Cornflower are busy hauling a Yew sapling from the orchard as Saxon and Kenzie helped carry the sapling is a bit heavy for them.
"But your backs into it you two. Constance need this sapling." Kenzie said to Matthias and Cornflower as he hold the young tree on his back.
"Guys, I'm tired of all this fighting. When will it stops?" Cornflower said to Matthias, Kenzie and Saxon as she sweat a little.
"The fighting will stops when we have Martin's sword and we train the villagers to stand up to Cluny." Matthias said to Cornflower.
"Even if you do find Asmodeus, how will you kill him?" Cornflower asked Matthias and the Guards.
"I don't know. To tell you the truth, we haven't gotten that fair ahead. It's a work in progress." Saxon said to Cornflower truthfully.
"I think you're scared to death." Cornflower said as she, Matthias, Kenzie and Saxon put down the sapling to rest for a bit.
"That I am, Cornflower." Matthias said to Cornflower.
"We're scare too, Cornflower, but we need to be strong in order to take down that snake." Kenzie said to Cornflower.
Just then, the Joseph Bell started ringing, telling the time.
"Well, I guess it's time to feed the guards." Cornflower said to Matthias and the two Guard mice. "I suppose everyone fights a battle in their own way."
"That's true, Cornflower." Saxon said to the kitchen mouse as she walks to the kitchen.
"I hope you'll be brave what ever happens." Matthias said to Cornflower.
"I'll try." Cornflower said to Matthias as she wave as him and walk into Redwall.
"You know Kenz, I think Matthias and Cornflower really do belong together." Saxon whispered to Kenzie.
"I agree Sax. Though, I wish they can admit it." Kenzie whispered back to his brother in arms.
"What are you two whispering about?" Matthias said to Saxon and Kenzie.
"Nothing." Saxon said to the novice.
"Right, anyway, let get this tree to Constance." Kenzie said as Matthias, Saxon and Kenzie pick up the sapling and carried it to a tent where Constance, along with Remy and Gwen.
"Ah good, you have the sapling. Nice work you two." Remy said to the mice as they put it down.
Constance pick up the sapling and bent it with her strength.
"Yep, that's just what we needed." Remy said as he begin carving the sapling.
"I hope you think is a good idea, Constance." Gwen whispered to the badger. "I know we want to get rid of Cluny, but this seems dishonorable." Gwen would rather face Cluny, rather than kill him from afar.
"I know, Gwen, but other choose do we have?" Constance whispered to the matriarch.
Back at the camp, Cluny is out on a stroll to clear his head from the nightmare when he hear something in the bushes. Cluny use his tail as he went into the bushes and pull out Killconey as it wrapped around his neck.
"You dare follow me?" Cluny said to Killconey, annoyed that he followed him.
"Redwallers. New weapon." Killconey said to his boss.
"Spit it out, ferret." Cluny said impatiently as he drop Killconey to the ground.
"They're building a new long range weapon. You're the target." Killconey said to Cluny as he smiled at the information.
"And that's not all, there's talk in the camp about a take over." Killconey said revealing more information.
Clunys smile turn into a frown when he heard the news.
"Who?" Cluny said to the ferret, wanting to know who would go against him.
Killconey point at the three rats around the campfire as the one-eyed rat look at them.
"Treason." Cluny said to himself. This will not stand.
A little later, Cluny said to Cheesethief,
"Cheesethief, in my tent! Now!"
Cheesethief run into Cuny's tent and went inside to see Cluny holding a cheese wheel as he cut the cheese with a knife and eat it.
He lick his mouth at the sight of the cheese as Cluny said to him,
"Cheesethief. Your work lately have been surprising."
"Thanks chief." Cheesethief said to Cluny, thanking him for the compliment.
"And I think you deserve to be rewarded accordingly." Cluny said to Cheesethief as he cut another piece of cheese and show it to him.
"Thanks chief." Cheesethief said once again to his boss as he's about to grab the cheese before Cluny eats it, much to his disappointment.
After eating the cheese, Cluny put the knife on the cheese and put it down.
"You're my only loyal lieutenant." Cluny said to Cheesethief as he put his arm around him and walk him outside.
"I'm going to organize the next assault today, and I'm leaving you in charge."
The other rats heard what Cluny said, and are puzzled. Is he really gonna let Cheesethief in charge of the army?
"Thanks chief. Right chief." Cheesethief said to Cluny, happy that he's in charge of the army as he said to the rats as he point to himself. "I'm in charge."
Of course, the army all laugh, thinking this is a joke.
"Darkclaw. Come." Cluny said to Darkclaw as he enters Cluny's tent.
Killconey saw the whole thing as he walk back to Redwall to continue spying on them.
Cheesethief then walk to Fangburn who is busy carving a piece of wood with a knife.
"You. Fangburn." Cheesethief said to the rat. But Fangburn ignored him and continue carving the wood.
"Find Kilconey. Tell him to uh, get on with his spying." Cheesethief ordered Fangburn, but one again, he ignored him.
Annoyed, Cheesethief pick up the rat as he drop the wood and knife.
"When I'm in charge, you do it, now!" Cheesethief said as he kick Fangburn's backside as he fell to the ground.
Back at the walls, Matthias heard Cluny's laugh as he put his paw on his chin, wondering what's going own down there.
In the Orchard, Remy finish carving the sapling into a giant bow as Constance bent it and Basil start tying a rope from one end of the bow to the other.
Constance then tested the bow as he pull back on the rope.
"Guys. Something's happening down there." Matthias said to Constance and the others.
"Double the guards. I have a bad feeling about this." Gwen said to Matthias.
A little later, Edward came to the orchard with a large piece of wood as he use a gouge and a hammer to carve a hole at the end of the wood. At the same time, Basil is working on the arrow as he put red feathers at the end of the projectile.
"Constance you're a genius." Basil said to Constance as the badger put a metal trigger in the hole and a wooden wedge on the back to hold it in place.
"Well, I pretty much came up with the idea, first after all." Remy said to the hare as he use wax to fuse bow on the opposite end of the wood.
"let's get the target between us and the Guards for now." Constance said to Basil.
"Good plain." Basil said in agreement as he place the arrow on the weapon. "Don't want to rise the hopes of the civilians, eh what?"
"No. It's not the civilians, Basil. It's Abbot Mortimer." Gwen said to Basil. "He won't like what we are about to do."
"Ah, right you are." Basil said to Gwen, knowing that the matriarch of Lockhaven is right. If Mortimer know that they'll use the weapon to kill Cluny, he'll be furious.
"Now, let's get this thing a test run." Remy said as he clap his paws together, eager to test the new weapon.
To test the weapon, they use a barrel to indicate Cluny. Constance pull back on the bow and place it on the trigger like a regular crossbow does. Basil then load the arrow on the weapon and use his back to stable the large weapon. Remy take aim at the barrel and remove the wedge, releasing the arrow as it fly towards the barrel, but it landed a few inches from the target.
"Oh. Not far enough." Basil said as he stand up.
"Well, not yet." Constance said as she put the weapon down.
Just then, Matthias came to them as he said,
"Foremole said the Listening Tunnel are up to a great start. How's the crossbow coming along?"
"It's going good, but there's a problem with the recoil which miss the target but a few inches." Remy said to Matthias as he report the problem.
Matthias look at the weapon and suggested,
"It need more stability to adsorb the recoil."
"That's an excellent idea, Matthias." Remy said to the novice. "We'll need a table for that."
A few minutes later, Killconey watch from an unguarded part of the wall as Kenzie and Twilight came to the orchard with a table as Constance tie the weapon with ropes and nailed it down it stable it.
"Okay, Ballista testing part two." Remy said as Edward and Sadie pull back on the bow and place it on the trigger once again with the wedge keeping it secure.
"Hm. That's a nice name." Edward said to Remy. "It's better than 'Giant Crossbow'."
Remy once more took aim and remove the wedge and the arrow fired, this time it turn the barrel into splinters.
"Yes!" Edward cheered before Kenzie covered his mouth.
"Not so load." Kenzie whispered to Edward.
"Sorry. I was excited that it works." Edward whispered back.
Killconey saw the whole thing and sneak out of Redwall to report what he saw.
At the same time, Gwen and Richard walked in.
"How's the new weapon going?" Richard said to the others.
"This pass with flying colors." Edward said to Richard. "Now we need to set it up and end this siege with a single shot."
"That's good news, but I still think this is a bad idea. Should we focus on finding Martin's sword to take Cluny out?" Gwen said with doubts in her voice.
"The sword can wait, sis. Beside, with Cluny out of the way, we'll be able to worry about Asmodeus and not an army of rats." Richard said to Gwen.
Gwen just sigh, knowing that this is a bad idea.
The next day back in St. Niniuns, a group of rats plus Darkclaw try to pull a wagon which have fallen into the moat. Darkclaw use a stick to give the wagon leverage while three rats pull and the three other rats push it from the back, but they're not making any progress.
Cluny walk to them with his cape back at the camp.
"Faster the lazy rabbles!" Cluny said to the rats as they struggle to get the wagon back up.
In the woods, the rats are busy cutting down trees and branches to build a siege tower for another attack on the abbey.
Killconey ran to Cluny as he stop close to him and whisper in his ear.
"Those Redwallers and foreigners are hauling a big crossbow to the top of the wall, chief."
"Good." Cluny said to the ferret as he gave him a new order, "Go tell Cheesethief to memorize my battle plains. They're in my tent."
"Sir?" Killconey said, puzzled by what Cluny said.
"Do it." Cluny ordered once again as Killconey ran back to the camp.
Cluny look back in the moat as see that the stick Darkclaw was using broke cause of the tension and the rats continue to struggle.
Cluny growled impatiently and said,
"Do I have to do everything myself?"
Cluny walk to the front of the wagon and with a roar, he pulled it out of the moat with his strength, much to his men surprise.
Back in Redwall, Saxon, Constance, Remy, Gwen, Edward, Basil, Matthias and Kenzie are at the walls as Sienna and Sadie bring the ballista to the walls.
"Just think, guys, we'll finally end this siege with a one swift shot." Saxon said to the others.
"Yeah, but I'm with Gwen on this, Saxon." Kenzie said to his friend. "This seems wrong to end it with a long-range weapon. We need Martin's sword in order to end the siege."
"I agree, Kenzie." Sienna said to Kenzie.
"Me too." Sadie said in agreement.
"Ladies, you worry too much." Edward said to Gwen, Sienna and Sadie as Matthias and Constance put the ballista into position.
"We'll only get one shot at this chaps, so we better make to counts." Basil said as Saxon use his sword's compass to help him position the range.
"Look like sunset will make the perfect position." Kenzie said as Constance nod and move the ballista close to the wall and Remy positioned himself at the trigger, and wait for sundown.
Back at the camp and unknown to the Redwallers and the Guards, Cheesethief walk to Cluny's tent with Killconey near the entrance.
"He want you to look at the battle plains to see if he forgot something." Killconey said to Cheesethief.
"Finally, I'm being appreciated for what I truly am." Cheesethief said with pride. "Out of my way!" Cheesethief said as he move Killconey aside as he enters the tent.
Back at the walls, Constance check the wind with her fingers.
"2 Degrees left." Constance said as Saxon and Edward move the table 2 degrees to the left.
At the same time, Cheesethief walk into the tent and to a table where the battle plains are. He sit down and look over the plains and close the scroll. He saw a bottle of wine as he open the cork and begin drinking the wine and laugh. He's starting to enjoy being in charge of the army.
Then he saw Cluny's helmet, cape and spare tail blade on his bed and though to have a little a fun. Getting up from the chair, Cheesethief put on the cape, and then he put the blade on the end of his tail as he swing it around a bit. Finally he put the helmet on his head.
"Put your backs into it, ya lousy swog boarded snuf for a crew!" Cheesethief said as he imitate Cluny. "Now, or I'll hang ya from the yardarms!" Cheesethief said again as he put of the dagger from the table and pointed it at the pretend army and laugh like Cluny.
Cheesethief open's the helmets visor and see a cheese wheel from last night.
Soon, sunset came and the Guards and the Redwallers look at the tent and see the inside thanks the Sun as it slowly sinks into the horizon.
"Wait for my signal." Saxon said to Remy as he take aim and put his paw in the wedge, ready to fire.
Back inside the tent, Cheesethief lick his mouth and start eating the cheese wheel.
At the walls, the others saw 'Cluny' moving around the tent and laughing.
"Now!" Saxon said to Remy as he release the wedge and the arrow begin to fly toward the tent.
Back in the tent, Cheesethief continue laughing, having the time of his life. But his fun soon came to an unexpected end when an arrow the size of a spear came inside the tent and strike him in the back with the tip sticking out of his chest.
Cheesethief grunt in pain and begin to spit blood from his mouth. He then fall to his knees and with a final breath, Cheesethief fell to the ground face first, dead and blood begin to leak from the wound.
Back at the walls, both the Redwallers and Guards see that 'Cluny' is finally said as Remy simply said, "Nailed him."
Later that same night, the Joseph Bell begin ringing, once again telling the time as Mortimer look at the tapestry and Matthias, Constance Basil and the Guards walk to him.
"So, Cluny is dead?" Mortimer said to them.
"Indeed, Father Abbot. There was a mutiny in the camp and Cluny was struck down by his own men." Saxon said to Mortimer as he cover up the assassination they committed.
Basil cleared his throat and said,
"Strictly military observation. With the Cluny dead, the horde scattered, Redwall resume it peaceful ways, duty done, eh what? Need to be fair, done ya know."
Mortimer sigh and said to the hare,
'You are right."
He then turn to Constance and the others and said, "Indeed, we oh you all our gratitude."
"Thank you, Father Abbot." Remy said to Mortimer.
"Now, please take the double guards off the wall." Mortimer said to the others.
This made everyone look at each other as Kenzie said to the Abbot,
"With respect, Father, I think it's best that the guards should remain where they are until the rats have leave Mossflower."
"Indeed." Sienna said in agreement. "Somethings not right here."
"I agree, Sienna." Constance said to the Guard in agreement.
"Now that the scourge have...been removed, I am anxious to return to normality. Please. Remove the guards." Mortimer said once again.
Richard sigh and said to Mortimer, "It'll be done, Father Abbot." Although he want to see Cluny die, something doesn't feel right.
Mortimer than turn to Matthias and said, "Go to the kitchen, Matthias, and ask Friar Hugo and Cornflower to begin preparations."
"Um, preparations for what?" Matthias said to Mortimer as he put a paw on his shoulder and walk with him.
"Redwall deserve a celebration to mark the end of this terrible time. There will be a feast. A feast of forgiveness." Mortimer said to Matthias as he walk out of the Great Hall.
Gwen and the Guards look at each other in concern, knowing that something is wrong when they kill Cluny, but what could it be?
The next morning, all of Redwall cheered that Cluny is dead and the siege is finally over while preparing the feast to mark the end of the siege.
In the kitchen, Matthias is busy cracking nuts while Jess, Sam and Justin bring bags of nuts for Matthias.
"Thanks." Matthias said to the squirrels as he continue cracking the nuts and the others are busy cooking food for tonight.
Cavern Hold is being decorated with banners and cleaned up for the feast.
"That's the last of them." Matthias said as he put the last nut in the bowl.
Matthias see Cornflower stirring a pot of soup, looking uneasy.
"Cornflower?" Matthias said to Cornflower in concern, wondering what's troubling her.
"I can't take in that it's all over. I'm not sure what I should feel." Cornflower said to Matthias as she continue stirring the soup.
" You should feel relieved, Cornfower." Matthias said to Cornflower. "Now we can concentrate on getting Martin's sword from Asmodeus."
"Do you have do now that Cluny's dead?" Cornflower said to Matthias as she turn to him.
"Redwall will never be safe until Martin's sword is recovered and back to where it belongs." Matthias said to Cornflower as she continue stirring the soup and sight.
"Now I'll never know if I could've been brave." Cornflower said to Matthias.
This gave Matthias an idea as he said to Cornflower.
"Maybe after the feast, you can ask Gwen to teach you how to be brave."
"That's a good idea, Matthias. I'll think about that." Cornflower said to Matthias.
Meanwhile in the store room, the Guards assemble a meeting.
"Guys, I'm telling you, there's something not right here." Lieam said to the others.
"I agree, Lieam. Have you notice that Cluny look shorter than usual?" Gwen said to the other Guards.
"Yeah, that is odd. Normally Cluny is bigger than his lackeys." Kenzie said to Gwen.
"Right. Something is amidst here. We should keep our eyes open." Saxon said to the others.
"Not to mention we should see if the rat we kill really is Cluny just to be sure." Remy also said to the other Guards.
"Me, Kenzie and Saxon will take Chickenhound to scout the camp. The rest of you should stay and keep a sharp eye out for anything unusual. We mustn't let our guard down for a second." Richard said to the Guards about his plain.
"Agreed, brother. Meanwhile, myself, Sadie and Sienna will patrol the North Wall. Twilight and Alvin, you two take the South. Remy, Lieam and Edward, the East." Gwen said to the Guards as she give them instructions.
"Yes, M'lady." The other Guards said as they bow to Gwen and walk out of the storage room.
At the camp, Cluny wearing a monk robe he stole walk into his tent to see a hole on the side of the tent. He look down to see the dead body of Cheesethief as he growled.
"So perished all traitors." Cluny said, satisfied that the traitor is dealt with.
Cluny walk out of the tent and remove the hood and order his men.
"Somebody get that hole closed up and that mess out of my tent!"
Two rats run into Cluny's tent to get Cheesethief's body out as Cluny deliver a speech to his army.
"Cheesethief was plotting against me with Redwalls spies. That arrow was meant for me. Does anyone else dare to out-think Cluny?"
No one uttered a single word, knowing that they don't want to end up like Cheesethief.
"Victory is ours!" Cluny said to his men with his paws out stretch. "Cluny the Scourge will be in Redwall tonight!"
The entire army cheered at Cluny's words as they prepare for the next attack on Redwall.
In the walls, Constance look at the camp in concern as Matthias walk to the badger and said,
"Aren't you glad that it's all over? Cluny's death will end the siege."
"I'm not so sure, Matthias." Constance said to Matthias as the novice look to see that the army is still there.
"They're not leaving. Something's wrong here." Matthias said.
"But what?" Constance said to Matthias.
Back at St. Ninians, the siege tower is complete as the rats begin turning the wheels, pushing the siege engine forward. Cluny is now wearing an armor with a new cape over it and holding his helmet in his paws.
"Alright you useless blossoms, do it!" Cluny said to Darkclaw as he crack his whip, ordering the rats to move faster.
"Those idiots think I'm dead." Cuny said to Darkclaw knowing that with everyone in Redwall thinking he's dead.
"Well, they'll think different when I tear out their hearts at Midnight." Cluny said once again as he put his helmet on his head and follow the rats with Darkclaw beside him.
At the same time, Richard, Saxon, Kenzie and Chickenhound move into the camp and find it empty.
"Look like it's empty." Chickenhound said to the three Guardmice. "I'm telling you, this is a waste of time."
"I'm not so sure about that, Chickenhond." Richard said to the fox.
Just then, they saw two rats carrying a body with Cluny's cape and the arrow from the ballista on his back.
"Let's follow them and see if that's Cluny or not." Saxon said to the others as they nodded.
After a few minutes of following, they follow the rats to a ditch as they toss the body into it and leave.
"Okay. Let's go." Kenzie said as they walk to the ditch. Then, a terrible smell invaded their nostrils as they covered their mouths and noses with their paws.
As they move closer, they saw that the ditch is a mass grave with bodies of dead rats from the start of the siege. They see flies buzzing around the corpses and maggots feasting on the bodies.
"Let's be quick about this before I throw up." Saxon said as the smell is making him want to lose his lunch.
It took little time to find the body with Cluny's cape as Richard turn it on it's back to see Cheesethief.
"This isn't Cluny at all." Richard said to the others. "This is his lieutenant, Cheesethief."
"You mean, was Cheesethief." Kenzie said to Richard.
"Cluny must've known we were gonna take him out and use Cheesethief to fool us." Saxon said as he look at Cheesethief's body.
"Then the real Cluny is already on his way to attack Redwall. We need to warn the others, and fast." Chickenhound said as he and the three Guards ran back to Redwall as fast as they can.
Later that very night, everyone including the Guards are in Cavern Hold to celebrate the end of the siege as Friar Hugo remove the ballista from the table in the kitchen and Mortimer announce to the others,
"We will observe a moment of silence to those who have fallen, on both side."
With that, Mortimer and the other close their eyes to honor those who fell during the siege.
"Thank you all for your patience and sacrifice in this time of trouble." Mortimer said to everyone in the hall. "Let us lift our glasses, to a new era of peace and harmony at Redwall Abbey."
"To Redwall!" Basil said as he lift his glass.
"To Redwall!" Everyone in Cavern Hold said as they lift their glasses up and cheered.
"Let the feasting begins!" Friar Hugo said as Cornflower and the other kitchen mice came out of the kitchen with food and the musicians start playing their instruments.
One kitchen mouse have a bowl of nuts and put it on the table and Russell's siblings quickly grab the nuts, much to the hedgehog's dismay.
"No fair. How come I always get no food?" Russell complained as he feel a tap on his side and see that one of his sisters hold a nut to Russell.
Russell is surprise by this act of kindness from his sibling as he smile and take the nut from her and eat it.
"Thanks, sis." Russell said to his sister who smiled back.
"Hip-hip-" Basil said to the others.
"Hurrah!" Everyone cheered at the same time.
"Hip-hip-" Basil said again.
"Hurrah!" Everyone cheered once again while they clang their glasses at each-other.
"Hip-hip-" Basil said yet again.
"Hurrah!" Everyone said once more as they cheered.
However, not everyone is enjoying the feast as Gwen and the Guards are at a different table as Chickenhound, Richard, Saxon and Kenzie explain what they discovered.
"So, Cluny know about the assassination from the start." Gwen whispered to the fox and the others.
"Yeah, and Cluny is on his way here as we speak." Chickenhound whispered to the matriarch.
"We need to split up and figure out where Cluny will attack." Saxon whispered to the other Guards.
"Agree." The Mouse Guard whispered at the same time as they all got out of the table.
At the same time, Constance whispered to Matthias.
"It's almost everyone inside. No eyes on the walls."
"The Abbot told us to reduce the guards, but he didn't say anything about the Listening Tunnel." Matthias whispered to Constance.
Constance nod in agreement as she whisper something to Foremole as he nod and he and Matthias got up from their tables while Matthias follow Constance and Foremole left to check the Listening Tunnel.
Basil, who is eating a cheese, look at Constance as he wink at her and got up from the table and follow Constance and Matthias.
"Basil, you and I will take quick turns doing rounds." Constance said to Basil as the three of them exit Cavern Hold as Cornflower watch, wondering what those three are up to.
At the same time, the rats continue pushing the siege tower as they came to a stop a few feet from the abbey.
At the walls, Matthias walk to Foremole who have a horn on his ear as he listen for anything coming to Redwall.
"Everything quiet out there, Foremole?"Matthias said to Foremole.
"Aye, I recon them varmints are be a sleepin or eatin maybe." Foremole said to Matthias as he chuckled.
"Bet we been aron and givem or arie if they show their heads."
"I have to get back before the Abbot misses me." Matthias whispered to Foremole as he walk back to Cavern Hold.
"You do that Matthias." Richard whispered to Matthias. "We'll keep an eye open for Cluny and his men."
"Right. Let's go." Saxon said as he and the Guards split up to separate walls to find where Cluny will attack.
Just outside Redwall, Kilconey is up in a tree to see any guards, but he didn't see any as he whistled a signal to Cluny as he order his men forward as they push the tower to the walls.
Back in Redwall, Cornflower came to the walls with a lantern and a pot of vegetable soup to Foremole and the other moles.
"I though you all like some soup." Cornflower said to Foremole and the other moles while bringing out a spoon.
"Thanky kindly." Foremole said to Cornflower. "We be missin the food, night. Not like old Vegetable Soup to keepin nice moles."
"Careful, it's very hot." Cornflower said as he full the three moles bowls with soup as they blow to cool it.
However, since no one is at the Listening Tunnel, they didn't hear the siege tower moving closer to Redwall.
"Do you hear something?" Lieam said to Sadie as he hear the sound of wheels.
"Yeah, I hear it too. It sounds like they have a siege weapon with them." Sadie said to Lieam.
"And from the sound of it, I say it's a siege tower." Kenzie said in agreement as he listen to the sound.
The siege tower stop a few inches from the wall as Cluny whispered to his men.
"Now listen you lot, they're not train killers in there, they'll be eating meat. But if any of you disobey my orders, you'll be as dead as them."
The rats shivered at the though of disobeying Cluny as the one-eyed rat said to Redclaw and a rat. "Now, you two, advance. Signal the all-clear for the rest of us."
The siege tower position itself on the walls with two of the defenders. Redclaw and the rat knock them both out cold with clubs.
Cornflower walk to the wall then she gasp to see two rats on the ramparts as they laugh and move toward her.
Cornflower knelled down as Redclaw laugh at her thinking this is too easy. Just then, Cornflower remember about being brave as she shout,
"Redwall, to me!"
With that, Cornflower threw the soup at the rats as one of them fell off the ramparts.
Cornflower then whack Redclaw with the pot as he fell off the wall.
Gwen, Richard, Kenzie and Saxon heard Cornflowers cry and said,
"Cornflower, are you okay? We heard your cry."
"I'm fine." Cornflower said to the Guards when Kenzie saw the siege tower.
"I knew it was a siege tower." Kenzie said as the rats started climbing the siege tower to the walls.
"Rats on the walls!" Cornflower called to the defenders as she pick up the lantern and threw it at the siege engine. As soon as the lantern shattered, the siege tower is caught ablaze as the few rats that are close to the fire fell off.
"Nice thinking, Cornflower." Gwen said to Cornflower, impressed by what she witness.
Just then, Cluny climbed to the top of the tower and jump other the fire and laugh as he open his visor, making Cornflower gasped in shock.
"But your- your dead." Cornflower said in disbelief.
"No, your dead." Cluny said to Cornflower as he moves closer to the wall with his sword drawn.
The Guards draw their weapons, ready to fight Cluny as Cornflower pick up a spear and pointed to at the one-eyed rat.
"We'll fight to our last breath to defend Redwall, rat!" Cornflower said in determination as the others nod in agreement.
Before Cluny can engage the mice, Cluny saw that the ropes have caught fire as he yelled by the fire.
"We'll save ya chief." A rat said to Cluny as a few rats climb to help him.
"You blundering fools!" Cluny said to the rats as the siege tower begin to wobble. Then the ramp begin to fall about due to the fire and weight of the rats as Cluny and the rats fall to the ground.
The rest of the siege tower begin to fall as to a few rats are are still on the tower jump off as the siege engine fell to the ground as it crash into flaming splinters.
Cluny rub his head from the fall and look up at Cornflower and the Guards.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!" Cluny shouted as he shook his fist at them.
"In your dreams, Loony!" Richard taunt to the rat.
"Cornflower!" Matthias said as he, Basil, Constance and the rest of the Guard run to her.
"We saw the fire."
"We're fine, Matthias." Gwen said to Matthias as the others see Cluny and his men retreated as he said to his men,
"You useless imbeciles!"
"First volley, fire!" Basil said to the archers as they fired at the retreating rats.
"Hold your fire." Edward said to the archers. "It's too dark and their too far."
Cornflower help the unconscious defenders back on their feet as she sight in relief.
"Well, you were tested. Now you know now it feel to be brave." Matthias said to Cornflower as he knelled to her.
"It feels scary." Cornflower said as she cuddles to Matthias.
"You have a spirit of a warrior, m'dear." Basil said as he winked. "Brave as they bally well come."
"Indeed." Gwen said to Basil in agreement.
"Well done." Constance said to Cornflower.
"Thank you. I'm still shaking, though." Cornflower said, grateful by everyone's compliment as Matthias help her back on her feet.
Just then, Foremole came by and said,
"Well missy, I be askin if they be anymore of that vegetable soup left."
"No. But I'll soon find some more." Cornflower said to Foremole as she, and Matthias walk to the kitchen to get more vegetable soup.
Cluny meanwhile growled that he've been defeated yet again as Darkclaw and a rat try to put out a few smoke on his cape.
"GET AWAY YOU VERMINS!" Cluny said annoyed as he shove the rats to the grounds.
Basil and the Guards laugh at this as Constance said,
"I knew that was too easy."
"Top hole Idea old bean. Almost got the blighter." Basil said to Constance as he and Constance smiled.
"I'll say. I though taking him out would end the siege quicker." Richard said.
"Like a said, brother, It'll be dishonorable to take him out his one shot." Gwen said to Richard as he place a paw on his shoulder.
"That's true." Richard said as he smiled at Gwen and she smiled back.
Later in the Great Hall, Matthias and Cornflower look at the tapestry of Martin the Warrior.
"To defeat Cluny, I must get the sword. That what all of this means." Matthias said to Cornflower.
"Ah, there you two are." Sienna said to the two mice as they turn to see her entering the Great Hall.
"Sienna, what brings you here?" Matthias said to Sienna.
"Gwen send me to ask Cornflower if she's interested in weapon training tomorrow morning. What she did tonight was worthy of being a Guard." Sienna explained to Matthias.
"Thanks for the offer, but my place is in the kitchen." Cornflower said to Sienna as she turn down the offer.
"I see." Sienna said in understanding. "But if you ever change you mind, you know where to find Gwen." Sienna said once again as she exit the Great Hall.
"Hm, 'Cornflower the Warrior'. That does have a nice ring to it." Matthias said as Cornflower laugh at him.
A/N: And scene. Another chapter in the bag. The scene with Russel and his siblings is based on the beginning of the film Once Upon A Forest, except with a small twist. In the next chapter, Cluny use a Dormouse Spice Merchant named Farlo as his men captured his wife, Glendel and use to capture Cornflower and Gwen to lure Matthias and the Guards out of the open and kill them. But Matthias and the Guards have a plain of their own to rescue Cornflower, Gwen and Glendel from Cluny's paw. Like a mention before, I'll be going to CTC on the 11th of this month. Until the next chapter, don't forget to read and review and no Flaming or Trolling. See you soon.